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Southern Devon folk email circulation
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Circulars dated: 16/7/14 1/7/14 17/6/14
An email circulation list with currently over 1500 contacts provides regular information on folk events across southern Devon roughly within a 30 mile radius as the crow flies of Totnes. The e-circulars are sent on a regular basis, usually one every 7-14 days, not more than one per week apart from exceptional circumstances (and never with any attachments).
Since the end of November 2013 the circulation has been run using the MailChimp service which allows you to subscribe / unsubscribe automatically.
Please use the following form to Subscribe. After completing the form initially,
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NEW UPDATED Cancelled
date next
DRAFT NEXT Harberton Folk Circular - ??day ??
July 2014
Only a selection of events follows below - the full open-ended southern
Devon Folk Diary listings appear on
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
All information is given in good faith but no responsibility can be accepted for
its accuracy. Do check with the organiser before setting out on a long journey.
(Very) Late cancellations do unfortunately sometimes occur, too late for
inclusion in an email, but I will note these - and late sell-outs - in the
website Diary as soon as I become aware of them.
text
NEW Tuesday 18 November 2014 - Boo Hewerdine - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD
Much loved English songwriter Boo Hewerdine releases his first career
retrospective My Name In Brackets (The Best of) on November 3rd 2014 via Reveal
Records. Featuring many of his greatest songs from Boo’s time leading The Bible
in the mid-eighties and his subsequent solo career, the compilation spans over
25 years worth of recordings and also includes some brand new songs written
specifically for My Name In Brackets. Boo Hewerdine will tour the UK in November
2014 where audiences can expect to hear plenty of their favourite Boo songs
alongside a clutch of newer songs as yet unreleased. His shows are famous for
his bone dry between song banter, he appears to have an endless supply of
anecdotes about his brushes with ‘almost, nearly, not quite fame’! Tickets £12+
adv from
www.wegottickets.com/event/282968. Further info 01803 875527 or world.unlimited@o2.co.uk.
www.worldunlimited.co.uk.
Doors 7.00pm
Harberton Folk Circular - Wednesday 16
July 2014
Only a selection of events follows below - the full open-ended southern
Devon Folk Diary listings appear on
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
All information is given in good faith but no responsibility can be accepted for
its accuracy. Do check with the organiser before setting out on a long journey.
Sorry it's been over a fortnight since the last circular - Busy times!
NEW Tuesday
22 July 2014 8pm - Theo Brown & The Folklore Of Dartmoor - Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street EX4 3LS (map)
Explores the hidden tales of seven Dartmoor villages through experiments in
sound and vision. It also celebrates the life of the late folklorist and artist
Theo Brown, whose publications, papers and woodcuts have lain dormant in the
archives at Exeter University since her death in 1993. Using Brown’s unpublished
research, Ian Humberstone and David Chatton Barker have crafted an audio-visual
retelling of Dartmoor folklore grounded in the moor’s topography, history and
folk-culture.
www.folkloretapes.co.uk. Full details
www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/theo-brown-the-folklore-of-dartmoor. £8. Box
Office: 01392 667080.
Coming up at Exeter Phoenix
www.exeterphoenix.org.uk:
Thursday 11 September - Sam Sweeney’s Fiddle: Made In The Great War
Wednesday
8 October - Show Of Hands
Wednesday
15 October - Lúnasa
Sunday 16 November - The Fisherman's Friends
Tuesday 9 December - Luke Daniels
Thursday 24 July 2014 - Gigspanner - Otterton Mill nr Budleigh Salterton EX9 7HG (map)
A welcome return visit from this brilliant trio headed by Steeleye Span's
legendary fiddle player, Peter Knight. Joined by Roger Flack (guitar) and
Vincent Salzfaas (congas and djembe), Peter's Gigspanner will take you on a
dazzling musical world tour, that combines traditional British with Eastern
European, French, Cajun, African and even Aboriginal influences. Peter Knight
can spin the World on his Bow (Sir Terry Pratchett).
www.gigspanner.com.
Bookings 01395 568521.
www.ottertonmill.com
Friday 25 July 2014 9pm - Sound of the Sirens
- B-Bar, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth (map)
Exeter’s Hannah and Abbe have been gathering quite a lot of attention recently.
The duo draw upon folk-rock inspirations but it is their original material that
shows off the brilliance of their chemistry and beauty of their vocal harmonies.
More powerful than their description can suggest and a reputation for an
engaging live show means anyone coming out for this will be in for a treat. £3.
Full details at
www.b-bar.co.uk.
NEW
Saturday 26 July 2014 - Lydstock Music
Festival - Lydford
Multi-genre mini music festival, 5th year. Main charity for this year's
event is St Lukes Hospice South West. Acts confirmed so far include: Appaloosas,
Orangutan Wheelbarrow, Josie Lloyd, Stage 2, Sky Walkers, 3's A Crowd, Kerina
and The Slaves, Trefoil, Dmitry Babichev, Jack Woodward, Ophelia Devon, A Cherry
On Top. Gates midday, main stage closes 11pm.
www.lydstock.com
Sunday 27 July 2014 7.45pm - Greg Russell &
Ciaran Algar - Folk on the Moor, Westward Inn, Lee Mill, Ivybridge
PL21 9EE (map)
Winners of the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and this year's Horizon award
this immensely talented duo will dazzle you with thier skills on fiddle,
bouzoukis, guitar and English concertina as well as with their sogwriting and
vocal abilities. They display a musical maturity way beyond their years. £10. Book by email
folkonthemoor1@gmail.com.
www.moorfolk.co.uk.
Sunday 27 July 2014 7.30pm - Phil Beer - Maker with Rame Community Hall,
Fore St., Kingsand,
Cornwall PL10 1NS
Phil Beer is one of the most popular ambassadors for acoustic roots music. A
dazzling instrumentalist, he is perhaps best-known as a top-flight fiddle player
and plays in the all-star line up "Feast of Fiddles". But his skills don't stop
there, he also plays slide, Spanish and tenor guitar, mandocello, viola,
mandolin and South American cuatro, not to mention contributing rich vocals.
This concert is being organised as a joint venture with the Maker with Rame
Community Hall. Box office 01579 347483. Details
www.wegottickets.com/event/263723. A 'Liskeard Concert Series' event (www.liskeardconcertseries.btck.co.uk)
organised as a joint venture with the MwR Community Hall.
Sunday 27 July 2014 7.30-10pm - Balkan and
Gypsy Dance - Moose Hall, Bowden Hill, Crediton EX17 3EJ
Dance to Balkan & Gypsy music with Steve Tyler & Katy Marchant playing hurdy
gurdy, mandolin, bagpipes, shawm, voice etc. and with dances led by Kushuma
Holyoak (01837 82001) and Fiona Parr (01626 821110). Cost £7. BYO refreshments.
Thursday 31 July 2014 - Maurice Dickson with
Catherine Ashcroft - Otterton Mill nr Budleigh Salterton EX9 7HG (map)
Maurice and Catherine return to the Mill as Irish duo Mochara. Always one of our
most popular acts, Maurice sings and plays guitar, bouzouki, mandolin and
bodhran, while Catherine plays the Uileann pipes and whistles with breathtaking
speed and virtuosity. Performing a mix of original and traditional Irish songs
and tunes, the duo promise audiences a night of spellbinding music.
www.mauricedickson.co.uk. Bookings 01395 568521.
www.ottertonmill.com
UPDATED
1-8 August 2014 - Sidmouth Folk Week
The full festival programme can now be downloaded from
www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk. 880 events!
NEW
Saturday 2 August 2014 - Gren Bartley Band -
Blue Walnut Cafe, Walnut Road, Chelston TQ2 6HS (map)
Gren Bartley is a prolific and exceptional songwriter. He is constantly touring
and forever writing. The critically acclaimed new album “Winter Fires” (out
Spring 2013) is yet another giant leap forward and is building further upon the
success of 2012’s critically acclaimed “Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown”.
www.grenbartley.com. Tickets £10 adv
from 01803 394113, £12 door.
www.bluewalnuttorquay.co.uk
Sunday 3 August 2014 8pm - Tony McManus -
Calstock Arts, The Old Chapel, Sand Lane, Calstock
PL18 9QX
(map)
Virtuoso guitarist. Once again we’re collaborating with Sidmouth Folk Week to
showcase top musicians who rarely perform in the UK. Canada-based Tony McManus
is recognised throughout the world as the leading guitarist in Celtic music.
www.tonymcmanus.com.
"Tony McManus is the best Celtic guitarist in the world” John Renbourn; “World
class. Masterful playing as usual”- Steve Howe. Details
www.calstockarts.org/sunday-3-august-tony-mcmanus-virtuoso-guitarist-celtic-music-and-beyond.
8-10 August 2014 - Dartmoor Folk Festival -
South Zeal
Artists announced, to date, include: New Rope String Band (Friday), Lady
Maisery, Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar (winners of the BBC Young Folk Awards
2013), Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer, The Old Fashioned, Bill Whaley and Dave
Fletcher, Chalktown and Pete White's Suitcase Circus.
Other artists attending include Trevor Organ's Cracking Crockery, The Dartmoor
Pixie Band, Tony Beard, Entertainingly Different, Dave Wills, various morris and
dance teams, plus more to be confirmed.
The festival will include a packed programme of concerts, a ramble on Dartmoor,
a ceilidh, folk service, craft displays, dances, a Children's Festival, a
Dartmoor Fayre, music hall, pub sessions and music, song and dance workshops.
Competitions include the Dartmoor Broom Dance championships and Dartmoor
Stepdance Championships.
It was 37 years ago that the festival was founded by the late Bob Cann, who
lived in the parish of South Zeal. He had the dream of a folk event on his
doorstep that would help to revive and preserve the traditions of Dartmoor.It
was the traditional music, dance, song and crafts of the area that formed the
basis for the first festival and they still remain for the association which
runs the festival today. Since it was founded it has grown so that it can invite
some of the best folk artists around, whilst maintaining its reputation for
being a relaxed, friendly and traditional festival. For further details about
the Festival, or to enquire about booking tickets, telephone 01837 840102 or
visit the brand new website:
www.dartmoorfolkfestival.org.uk
NEW
Friday 15 August 2014 9pm - The Grenaways -
B-Bar, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth (map)
The band describes their sound as “In the folk music genre, but none of us are
true folkies (apart from maybe Laura who grew up on Lindisfarne). So we feel
free to interpret folk music from a number of different angles. The results tend
to be quite a unique mix of influences in the folk style, with definite nautical
undertones. We just love this style because it has a rich tradition in Cornwall
where it has always been the music of the people, influenced so much by the sea
and coastal living. In some ways it’s the original dance music too, and gives us
huge scope to write about everything from the romantic to the downright jiggy!
£3. Full details at
www.b-bar.co.uk.
NEW Saturday 16 August 2014 7.30pm - Rachel
Sermanni - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD
Scottish contemporary folk singer-songwriter launched her career when only 17,
and has since played in excess of 500 shows across the UK, Europe, North America
and a handful of shows in Asia. 2013 was spent touring North America and Canada.
Her debut album Under Mountains, released in late 2012, brought her bewitchingly
beautiful, powerfully impassioned, magically eloquent music to a fresh crop of
fans. A straight-up storyteller with a voice to blow all others clean out of the
water, this young Scottish singer-songwriter packs an almighty punch with her
earthy folk melodies and dextrous fingerpicking.
www.rachelsermanni.net.
Tickets £10+ adv from
www.wegottickets.com/event/279722. Further info 01803 875527 or world.unlimited@o2.co.uk.
www.worldunlimited.co.uk.
NEW
Thursday 28 August 2014 9pm - Jeff Horsey &
Gareth Hedges - B-Bar, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth (map)
Two incredibly accomplished musicians with impressive histories come together to
play a special evening of traditional music. Drawing primarily on the blues but
effortlessly nodding to aspects of jazz, folk and roots music expect a perfect
rendition of styles long passed as well as some unique and insightful anecdotes.
£2. Full details at
www.b-bar.co.uk.
NEW
Friday 29 August 2014 9pm - Adam Piggott &
Jayne Freeman - B-Bar, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth (map)
Described by NetRythms as “Genuinely uplifting” with “Intensely adept acoustic
guitar styling” this guitar/ukulele duo showcase their song writing alongside
fresh interpretations of often unexpected classic songs. With strong influences
from country, folk, blues and jazz their sound has been described as a mix of
Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Debbie Harry and Ry Cooder with a modern Nouvelle
Vague twist. £3. Full details at
www.b-bar.co.uk.
NEW
Saturday 6 September 2014 8pm - Greg Russell
& Ciaran Algar - Ley Arms Folk & Acoustic Music
Club, Ley Arms, Kenn nr Exeter EX6 7UW (map)
Winners of both the 2013 BBC Young Folk Award and 2014 BBC Horizon Award.
Exciting and dynamic young duo with musical abilities, vocal maturity and
professionalism beyond their years. Growing festival favourites, the duo have
appeared at prestigious venues as Cropredy Festival and Cambridge Folk Festival.
Their new album, The Call, is now available.
www.russellalgar.co.uk. Support:
Martyn Cornelius. Tickets: £9 adv; £11 door, info / ticket reservations contact
leyarmsfolk@hotmail.co.uk or
01392 210983 (The Cornelius Family).
NEW
Thursday 11 September 2014 8pm - Whitetop
Mountain Band - B-Bar, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth (map)
Family-based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. Whitetop, Virginia is
an area rich in the old time music tradition; this band has deep roots in
mountain music. The members have done much to preserve the Whitetop region's
style of old time fiddling and banjo picking and are legendary musicians and
teachers of the style. At the same time, Whitetop Mountain Band shows are very
versatile and entertaining containing everything from fiddle/banjo instrumentals
to powerful solos and harmony vocals on blues, classic country, honky tonk,
traditional bluegrass numbers, old timey ballads, originals, and four part
mountain gospel songs. Shows also include flat foot dancing. The band is well
known for their high energy and charisma on stage. £12. Full details at
www.b-bar.co.uk.
NEW Friday 12
September 2014 - Gallery Bar Special:
Rum and Shrub - Calstock Arts, The Old Chapel, Sand Lane, Calstock PL18 9QX
(map)
Our film festival weekend celebrating the River Tamar gets off to a fine start
with the Rum and Shrub Shantymen, a group of traditional singers from Cornwall
with a worldwide reputation for lively singing of shanties, sea songs and folk
songs. Their unusual name is taken from one of Cornwall’s best kept secrets and
is the band’s favourite throat ‘medicine’ – Shrub being an alcoholic cordial
reputed to have been enjoyed by smugglers to disguise the salty taste of their
contraband, and rum being rum. Free entry, chatty atmosphere, donations to the
band would be very welcome. Full details
www.calstockarts.org/friday-12th-september-gallery-bar-special-with-rum-and-shrub.
NEW Friday 12 September 2014 8pm - Steve Knightley -
Ilsington Village Hall,
Ilsington TQ13 9RG
In 2010 Steve won BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Best Original Song category and as
the songwriting force behind the phenomenally successful acoustic roots duo,
Show of Hands won the BBC Radio2 Folk Awards, categories Best Live Act and Best
Duo. From a rock background, Steve is known for his strong narrative songs, many
inspired by people and places in his native West Country. Booking details etc.
www.ilsingtongigs.co.uk.
NEW
Sunday 28 September 2014 8pm - Steve Knightley -
Buckfastleigh Town Hall
In 2010 Steve won BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Best Original Song category and as
the songwriting force behind the phenomenally successful acoustic roots duo,
Show of Hands won the BBC Radio2 Folk Awards, categories Best Live Act and Best
Duo. From a rock background, Steve is known for his strong narrative songs, many
inspired by people and places in his native West Country. Booking details etc.
www.growyourowngig.co.uk/gigs.
New West-Country CD
We don't usually do advertising as such, but very happy to make an
exception to give a mention for a brand new release from West-Country
specialists and former Harberton Folk performers Tom & Barbara Brown. Details of
'Just Another Day - Songs from Minehead - then and now' can be found on
www.umbermusic.co.uk.
More in brief -
Selection only - Full Diary listings and details
on
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk
29 July - 4 August - 'Dance by the Sea' International Folk Dance
Course - Livermead House Hotel, Torquay
Wednesday 30 July - Balkan Instrumental Day Course - Livermead House
Hotel, Torquay
Friday 1 August 5-6pm - Music for Moon
Bears - Mill House Retreats, Rocknell Manor Farm, Westleigh EX16 7ES
Thursday 21 August - Geoff Lakeman / Doxies - Brixham Theatre
Thursday 21 August - Martyn Joseph - Otterton Mill
Thursday 21 August - Peter Knight's
Gigspanner -
Hazelwood House nr Loddiswell
Friday 22 August - Peter Knight's
Gigspanner -
Maker with Rame Community Hall,
Fore St., Kingsand, Cornwall
Friday 5 September - James Taylor - Plymouth Pavilions
Sunday 14 September - Altan - The Public Hall, Budleigh Salterton
Sunday 28 September - Dervish - The Public Hall, Budleigh Salterton
Saturday 4 October - Jackie Oates - South Brent Village Hall
Saturday 25 October - Seth Lakeman - Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Sunday 16 November - Peter Knight's
Gigspanner - Topsham Folk Club, Matthews Hall, Fore Street, Topsham
Sunday 16 November - Bellowhead - Plymouth Pavilions
Friday 21 November - Joan Armatrading
- Exeter Corn Exchange
John Culf
johnculf@harbertondevon.co.uk
www.harbertondevon.co.uk
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk
Harberton Folk Circular - Tuesday 1 July 2014
Only a selection of events follows below - the full open-ended southern
Devon Folk Diary listings appear on
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
All information is given in good faith but no responsibility can be accepted for
its accuracy. Do check with the organiser before setting out on a long journey.
NEW
Friday 25 July 2014 9pm - Sound of the
Sirens - B-Bar, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth (map)
Exeter’s Hannah and Abbe have been gathering quite a lot of attention recently.
The duo draw upon folk-rock inspirations but it is their original material that
shows off the brilliance of their chemistry and beauty of their vocal harmonies.
More powerful than their description can suggest and a reputation for an
engaging live show means anyone coming out for this will be in for a treat. £3.
Full details at
www.b-bar.co.uk.
NEW
Thursday 21 August 2014 - Gigspanner -
Hazelwood House nr Loddiswell TQ7 4EB (map)
Gigspanner are returning to no doubt raise the roof with their enigmatic
playing. Steeleye Span fiddler Peter Knight (the Jimi Hendrix of the fiddle) is
enhanced by the flawless playing of Roger Flack on Guitar and Vincent Salzfaas
on Congas and Djembe. The band amalgamate a heady mix of Eastern European,
French, Cajun, African and even Aboriginal influences, transporting audiences on
a blistering pace of a musical world tour. “Peter Knight can spin the World on
his Bow" - Sir Terry Pratchett.
www.gigspanner.com.
£15. Bookable pre-concert buffet available. See
www.hazelwoodhouse.com
for details. Tel. 01548 821232.
Richie's listings for live music in July in
East Devon
will hopefully be available here soon:
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk/richie.htm (Richie's listings for June unfortunately
didn't happen, due to his laptop dying)
Feature: Crabshell Records, Kingsbridge
Crabshell Records is a not-for-profit Unincorporated Association.
Their cause is to support and encourage traditionally based music played in the
area. They can offer a complete CD production service to talented, unsigned
musicians who sing and play locally - often in aid of local charities. To enable
promotion and sales of your music your CDs will have high quality presentation
but at low cost. Their own catalogue currently includes CDs by Vic Wilcox, John
Connor, Bull Pitch, Iowa 4, Rumpus, The Old Gaffers, The Storm UK, The Crabshell
Concerts 2005-2012. See full details of all CDs and the production services at
www.flaxey-green.co.uk/Pages/Crabshell%20Records%20Publications.html.
Harberton Folk Circular - Tuesday 17
June 2014
Only a selection of events follows below - the full open-ended southern
Devon Folk Diary listings appear on
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
All information is given in good faith but no responsibility can be accepted for
its accuracy. Do check with the organiser before setting out on a long journey.
NEW
Thursday 31 July 2014 - Maurice Dickson with
Catherine Ashcroft - Otterton Mill nr Budleigh Salterton EX9 7HG (map)
Maurice and Catherine return to the Mill as Irish duo Mochara. Always one of our
most popular acts, Maurice sings and plays guitar, bouzouki, mandolin and
bodhran, while Catherine plays the Uileann pipes and whistles with breathtaking
speed and virtuosity. Performing a mix of original and traditional Irish songs
and tunes, the duo promise audiences a night of spellbinding music.
www.mauricedickson.co.uk. Bookings 01395 568521.
www.ottertonmill.com
NEW
Thursday 21 August 2014 - Martyn Joseph - Otterton Mill nr Budleigh Salterton EX9 7HG (map)
One of the most celebrated songwriters of his generation, Martyn has toured with
(among others) Suzanne Vega, Joan Armatrading, Jools Holland, Mark Cohn and,
even, Celine Dion. This most compelling live performer and social commentator
presents his audience with challenging narratives, tempered with songs that
comfort and speak to the soul. His music is filled with passion, intelligence,
intensity, and humour, all delivered by one of the most charismatic and
electrifying performers in Britain today Tom Robinson BBC 6 music. A rare chance
to catch Martyn in an intimate venue.
www.martynjoseph.net.
Bookings 01395 568521.
www.ottertonmill.com
NEW
Friday 22 August 2014 - Gigspanner -
Maker with Rame Community Hall,
Fore St., Kingsand,
Cornwall PL10 1NS
(map)
Peter Knight’s Gigspanner has been hailed by Songlines magazine as 'another
milestone in folk’s rebirth of cool', but those in the know will tell you that
there is more to Gigspanner than meets the eye. Without doubt a bedrock of
British traditional music is to be expected from Steeleye Span’s legendary
fiddle player. But Gigspanner’s musical reach flirts audaciously with Eastern
European, French, Cajun, African and even Aboriginal influences transporting
audiences on a 'blistering pace of a musical world tour' (Phil Widdows, Folkcast).
'Peter Knight can spin the World on his Bow' - Sir Terry Pratchett.
www.gigspanner.com.
Tickets from Jane Mutch on 01752 823423 or online at
www.gigspanner.com/tickets.html.
General items retained from previous circulars
Kingsbridge Crabshell Session - Summer Recess
In conjunction with Simon and Jane at the pub, we have decided to suspend
the monthly session at the Crabshell for the summer season i.e. no sessions on
the first Thursdays of June, July, August or September 2014. Fortunately for
them (perhaps not for us!) they have made such a fantastic job of re-inventing
the pub that it has been increasingly difficult to dodge waitresses, hear each
other sing etc when the pub is at its busiest. So you have all summer long to
work on your repertoires and enjoy the break! But be sure to put a big reminder
on your calendars for Thursday 2nd October 2014 when I for one will be looking
forward to getting together again. Brenda B.
Over the border: Brief news from Cornwall
1) The monthly Cross House Inn sessions at Metherell are in recess until
September.
2) Bodmin Folk Club regrettably has no permanent home at present. Check
www.bodminfolk.co.uk for interim
venue(s).
A publication recommended by a Harberton Folk
subscriber
"Singing from the Floor: A History of British Folk Clubs by JP Bean (see
www.amazon.co.uk/Singing-Floor-History-British-Clubs/dp/0571305458)
(available as paperback or for Kindle). It has a few notable omissions but it is
a very familiar evocation of the time. JR"
Some folk information
sources for neighbouring areas
(Unfortunately I'm not aware of general folk information resource for Cornwall -
Does anyone else know of anything?)
Shammick Acoustic - Includes website
www.shammickacoustic.org.uk listings of
regular and special events in North Devon and West Somerset.
Sadfolk - Comprehensive coverage of folk events in Somerset & Dorset
- website
www.sadfolk.co.uk and associated weekly
email udpates.
Acoustic Calendar for Wessex - Monthly calendar with email updates of
folk clubs, singarounds, acoustic sessions & open mic (i.e. not concerts etc.);
see
www.sanchobramble.weebly.com for
details.
And included by special request of the venue, a mention for the
Electric Palace in Bridport - in case you fancy venturing for a day out
further along the Jurassic Coast -
www.electricpalace.org.uk - presenting
some quality folk concerts, some featuring an act's only West Country gig;
current programme includes: 23/4 Moulettes; 30/4 Fureys & Davey Arthur; 2/5 Dave
Swarbrick & Friends; 15/5 Bella Hardy; 31/5 Sam Lee & Friends
Session News
Celtic music session at The Walkhampton Inn (Yelverton/Dousland area) Devon.
2nd Sunday each month from 8pm.
Feature: Milverton
Music Club
Somewhat distant but perhaps of interest to those in the NW of our
coverage area, the Club has regular open mic sessions on the 1st Friday of every
month except August, plus occasional guest nights, and meets at the Victoria
Rooms, Fore St, Milverton, Taunton TA4 1JU (N of Wellington)
www.milvertonmusic.co.uk/page2.html. 2014 guest nights:
Friday 18 July - Coope, Boyes & Simpson
Friday 17 October - Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman
On Exeter's Phonic FM 106.8 and online
www.phonic.fm Mondays 6-8pm
Roots and Shoots with Martin Henning
The best in global and local music. Frequent live sessions from talented local
and visiting musicians. See the show’s website
http://rootsandshootsdevon.blogspot.co.uk. 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondays of each
month | Jan 20 | Feb 3, 17 | Mar 3, 17, 31 | etc.
Common Ground with Martin Hodge - new in 2014
Exploring the rich folk music, songs and traditions of the West Country and the
rest of the UK with occasional forays abroad. With informative and entertaining
guests including some live music. Contact Martin via
www.facebook.com/groups/commongroundonphonicfm/?fref=ts or email
martin@phonic.fm. 2nd Monday of each month
| Feb 10 | Mar 10 | etx.
Shenanigans with Karen and Kat
Shenanigans is presented by two chin-wagging musos with a weakness for caffeine.
We will be playing indie, alternative, new wave and folk….finding those tracks
you might not have heard but we know you will love! 4th Monday of each month |
Jan 27 | Feb 24 | Mar 24 | etc.
Artists sought for The Feast of St James Festival in Tiverton on 19 July
2014
We are looking for artists based on a traditional theme - hopefully medieval
music? but also interested in more upbeat musicians as well which may be loosely
medieval in context. We have a day time event and an evening event also. I am
open to ideas and would look forward to any contacts who may be of interest at
this stage. I am looking for: Morris dancers, individual street folk musician(s),
bands? Please contact me, reference Tiverton Town Team: Dawn Chilcott, Tiverton
Town Team Co-ordinator, Challen House, 17 The Avenue, Tiverton, Devon EX16 4HP
tel. 01884 242212 / 07989 973301, email dawnchilcott[at]btconnect.com.
Words & Music for Good Causes
A new spoken-word performance group based in South Devon would love to hear
from any traditional players/singers who might be interested in collaborating on
occasional projects/events for selected charities (a recent example involved
musicians and readers presenting international poetry for Amnesty). Please
contact Chris Waters on:
waterschris@live.com.
Session News
Totnes: Bay Horse Inn, 8 Cistern Street TQ9 5SP (01803 862088,
www.bayhorsetotnes.com)
Traditional Open Session: First & third Mondays of every month, 8.45pm – 11pm.
Players and singers welcome.
Traditional Singing Session: Second & fourth Tuesdays of the month, 8.45 - 11pm.
Exploring British folk.
Eli’s Open Session: Every Thursday, 8.45 - 11pm. Singer/songwriters, musicians,
percussionists – all welcome.
Bluegrass Session: Second Sunday each Month, 8.30pm - 11pm. Players welcome.
New Venue for 2014:
Starz Bar in Exeter - Exeter Folk Project
Gigs start in the New Year, downstairs in the lounge bar, all seated (55-60
seats). More at
www.facebook.com/Exeterfolkproject. Location: 18 Lower North Steet, Exeter,
EX4 3ET. The line-up to date: 23/1/14 Blair Dumlop; 20/2/14 Greg Russell &
Ciaran Algar; 27/3/14 O'Hooley & Tidow
Crabshell Records
Kingsbridge
We don't normally advertise this sort of thing, but Neil does a great job with
Kingsbridge-based Crabshell Records ("Any money raised over expenses will be
entirely dedicated to promoting live music of the tradition in and around
Kingsbridge") , mostly involving local South Devon performers including Rumpus,
The Old Gaffers, and The Storm, or his own previous events. See
www.flaxey-green.co.uk/Pages/Publications.html for the lastest info (and
also
www.shamstrad.co.uk/crabshellrecords.htm).
Session news
The first Malborough Open Mike at the Royal Oak will be on November
28th, no Open Mike in December but then regularly on the 4th Thursday of the
month from January 2014. All styles of music welcome. Come along and play/sing
or listen.9pm start but come a little earlier if you want to play or phone
Mahrey/Phil on 01548 853593.
The Malborough Jam Session (all styles of music from folk to blues and rock,
join in or listen) continues on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, and there will
be a festive feel to the music on 11th December. 8.30pm start.
For more info on either of these contact Mahrey/Phil on 01548 853593 or
Julia/Howard on 01803 864674. For the Royal Oak contact 01548 561481.
More session news (extracted from Tony
Watts' emailed Acoustic Calendar for Wessex updates, see
www.sanchobramble.weebly.com, info reproduced in good faith, contact Tony -
not me - with any feedback, or to join his email list)
New
Plymouth: The Crown & Anchor, 10-11 The Barbican PL1 2LS (01752 224572) -
Every Tuesday, 8pm. Open mic.
RIP (i.e. discontinued)
Plymouth: Blue Peter Inn, 68 Pomphlett Road PL9 7BN (01752 941794) - First
Thursday of the month. Mixed folk session.
The landlord is still willing to host musicians if anyone would like to get a
session together.
Plymouth: The Dolphin, 14 The Barbican PL1 2LS (01752 660876, Martin: 01752
550768) - First Sunday of the month, 1pm till early evening. Music and song
session.
Plymouth: Minerva Inn, 31 Looe Street PL4 0EA (01752 223047) - Open Mic: First
Wednesday of the month, 8.30pm.
NB: The Thursday folk session is still alive and well.
New 'South Devon Arts Centre'
in Totnes
This brand new (a month ago) not-for-profit community arts venue (whose patrons
and friends include Jools Holland, Bob Harris and Sir Richard Branson) already
has a massive programme lined up of top-class music of many genres, comedy,
cabaret, theatre etc. and all ticketing details can be found at
www.southdevonarts.co.uk. SDAC is located at The Stables, Ford Road, Totnes,
TQ9 5LE
(map)
and has a maximum seated capacity of 190 (ground floor 110, gallery
balcony 80), or 200 standing capacity ground floor. Plenty of free parking
available close by. Licensed bar.
It's very difficult to categorise some performers, but here's a summary of the 'folkier'
acts in the current published programme up to December:
22/11 Rue Royale; 23/11 Hayseed Dixie; 14/12 Mad Dog Mcrea -
something for all tastes there! They're also all in the
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk website
Diary, with links to music/video samples in most cases.
Buckfastleigh Mixed Voice A Cappella Choir - Recruiting
‘The Lost Sound’ is a small (24 singers), mixed voice, a cappella choir
based in Buckfastleigh with a strong folk element. They have received an
extremely warm response to their performances throughout 2012, especially from
The Dart Music festival and Night of 1000 voices at Exeter Cathedral. They are
looking to take on new singers in the Alto and Female tenor sections who have
some harmony experience and who can learn quickly. For more info see
www.singingandbreathing.co.uk or call Sandra on 01364 643105.
North Devon/West Somerset music listings - Listings of regular and special music events for the above area can always be found at www.shammickacoustic.org.uk (then click on 'Local Events').
Note to (potential) contributors - and readers:
The frequency of these e-circulars varies anywhere from approx.
weekly up to fortnightly, driven essentially by work and personal priorities.
Therefore, to give your event the best possible chance of inclusion (unless I
forget! - has happened very occasionally), try to get your information to me at least a month in advance,
preferably using the standard format I employ for most entries - see below - and preferably
with a max. length of 50 to 75 words. Otherwise I have to edit text down to a
reasonable length, and editing takes time! A Myspace (or similar) web link for
music samples is a good idea too.
Folk news slightly further afield:
Somerset & Dorset (SADFOLK) folk events
A regular and
comprehensive emailed listing is available through
www.sadfolk.co.uk
(Somerset and Dorset folk) for folk events in venues large and small in those two
counties, some of which are not too far away from the Harberton Folk area.
Steve who runs this has over 800 contacts on his list.
North Devon
www.shammickacoustic.org.uk
- website listings
...and not forgetting
www.flaxey-green.co.uk (and
www.devonfolk.co.uk) for further detailed Devon listings, including many
regular pub sessions, folk dance clubs and much more.
1-2-1 Melodeon Tuition
Ed Rennie, lead tutor with the Devon Squeezebox Foundation, is currently
teaching melodeon to a number of people on a 1-2-1 basis at their homes. The
advantage from the students' point of view is the courses are tailored to their
needs and progress at their pace and they get to stay at home in the warm and
dry and Ed does all the running about in the cold and dark! Ed has a number of
students he visits once a month in the West Dartmoor/Plymouth area (Mary Tavy to
Saltash). He has capacity to take on some more students in the area, so if you
would be interested to learn the melodeon at home with Ed, give him a shout at
devonsqueezebox@hotmail.co.uk.
Melodeon hire also available.
A few notes about these listings - what gets listed,
what doesn't... etc.
The listings primarily include 'folk' events, mostly of a concert nature, also
folk club guest nights, folk workshops, ceilidhs / barn dances etc.
'Folk' of course means many things to many people so that's partly why I also
include limited coverage of some Americana, blues and other acoustic music
events, but also partly because there are dedicated people/venues in the area
putting on top-class performers in these fields - and they take the trouble to
send me information. (The 'other musics' will generally have shorter entries and
fewer repeats.)
My preferred length for entries is 50-75 words, 100 words max. This length
restriction, combined with a 'selection of events only', means that the overall
length of each e-circular does not become excessive (and unduly
sleep-inducing!). The full open-ended Diary is always available on
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
If you're submitting stuff to me for inclusion, why not give a web link to
online music samples? Most performers have them these days. And there's then a
chance the reader will take a listen, perhaps like what they hear, and maybe
even come to a gig they wouldn't have otherwise considered!
I don't include information about regular informal pub folk sessions or folk
(social) dance club material - these areas are well covered by
www.flaxey-green.co.uk
and www.devonfolk.co.uk.
- but I will list details of new sessions, for example.
The general distance qualifier has always been 'within 30 miles as the crow
flies from Totnes' (covers a surprisingly wide range), although this does get
stretched a little sometimes for items of potential wider South-West interest.
The e-circulars are sent to approx. 1400 folk-specific contacts (no telling of
course how many fail to arrive for whatever reason, although I do my best to
maintain the email list - several repeated rejections from the same address will
result in that address being deleted) The great majority of those contacts
are within the above coverage area.
And please don't be offended if I occasionally forget - or even refuse - to
include an item.
Keep enjoying the live music! - John Culf
New folk festival listing website
www.ukfolkfestivals.co.uk "tries to list almost every folk music festival in
the UK" [and seems to do quite a good job]
More folk/roots music on local radio - Phonic FM
(106.8 in Exeter; www.phonic.fm
worldwide)
Martin Henning, Rich Cooke and Martin Hodge present 'Roots &
Shoots' every Monday 6-8pm. They play folk/roots music from around the world and
always include local music, often featuring live music - our next scheduled
performers being Mad Dog McRea on Monday 10 May.
An 'interesting' email problem
Those of you who read my recent notes about the various problems I experience
when sending these e-circulars may be interested/amused to see a (new) rejection
message received from a recipient at a local educational establishment. I have
highlighted the offending word in bold/red and added spaces so it's not rejected
again. This word appeared in the item about Hayseed Dixie:
Microsoft Antigen for Exchange found a message matching a filter. The message is
currently Identified.
Message: "hf21_30 080226"
Filter name: "KEYWORD= racial discrimination: h i l l b
i l l y"
Sent from: "John Culf"
A Virus Warning
- but please do read this, unlike the usual hoaxes that circulate
which are simply designed to clog up the email airwaves:
"There is a dangerous virus being passed around electronically, orally, and by
hand. This virus is called Weary-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you
receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss, or anyone else via any
means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If
you should come into contact with WORK, put your jacket on and take two good
friends to the nearest grocery store. Purchase the antidote known as
Work-Isolating-Neutralizer-Extract (WINE) or Bothersome-Employer-Elimination-Rebooter
(BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated
from your system. You should forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not
have 5 friends, you have already been infected."
'Virus' warnings - Chain emails (e.g. petrol prices) - Please avoid them
With 1400+ email contacts, if there's junk going around I usually see quite a
few examples of it. If you receive a chain email, such as those that warn of a
terrible virus circulating which will destroy your hard disk, do please take a
moment to check before forwarding it to your entire address book. Pick out a
couple of salient words and put them into Google, e.g. "olympic torch
email", and you'll soon see that they are invariably hoaxes, simply designed to
further clog up email servers across the globe. And whilst possibly originally
well intentioned, the petrol price emails doing the rounds have
essentially been around since 1999 - see
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_gas_boycott_2006.htm and read the
analysis/comments.
Other interesting local music links
Plymouth Classical Music Concert Diary
www.plyclassical.co.uk
- Comprehensive month-by-month listings of all types of classical music in and
around Plymouth, plus some jazz and folk, including Harberton Folk's events.
Plymouth Music Accord
www.plymouthmusicaccord.co.uk - Registered Charity promoting the
appreciation and performance of music in the Plymouth area. Members include
local orchestras, bands, choirs, opera groups, etc. and many promoters and
venues, and
Plymouth Folk Festival (who have a brand new, smart website).
'Off topic' but we'll mention a
couple of other local live music sources for different genres:
Totnes Early Music Society
www.totnesearlymusic.org.uk - fairly self-explanatory